Cultural Tourism Resources
Image: Marulan Kite Festival | Credit Destination NSW
Image: Lambing Flat Folk Museum, Young | Credit Destination NSW
Image: Australian Street Rod Nationals, Goulburn | Credit Destination NSW
- The Cultural Tourism Report – summarises regional insights into the barriers and opportunities for cultural tourism growth in Southern NSW, highlighting the need for community-led development and coordinated support. The Cultural Tourism Report is available in both Full Version and Summary formats.
- The Cultural Tourism Toolkit, produced by the Museums & Galleries of NSW, is a practical guide for cultural organisations seeking to engage more effectively with tourism, offering valuable insights into co-creation, storytelling, program design, and visitor engagement.
- The Draft NSW Heritage Strategy outlines the NSW Government’s proposed vision and actions for heritage over the next five years. It broadens traditional definitions of heritage to include cultural practices, living traditions, and underrepresented narratives. With four strategic objectives — embracing diversity, empowering owners, realising benefits, and improving systems — it details practical reforms to support conservation, community engagement, adaptive reuse, and climate resilience. The strategy highlights inclusive storytelling, Aboriginal cultural heritage, sustainability, and better integration with planning systems.
- Create NSW offers funding programs, a Resource Hub that includes toolkits and guides, and initiatives that support regional arts, cultural infrastructure, and community-led events. When available, the grants can often be used to activate food, festival, or heritage-based tourism experiences across NSW.
- Museums & Galleries NSW offers a wide range of tools, grants, and professional development programs for regional museums, galleries, and heritage organisations. Their resources include guides for exhibition development, volunteer management, funding applications, audience engagement, and cultural tourism. The site also features toolkits and case studies to support the development of meaningful, place-based experiences for visitors.
- The NSW 24-Hour Economy Strategy outlines a coordinated plan to transform Sydney and regional NSW into thriving, safe, and diverse after-dark destinations by supporting local businesses, cultural events, transport, and public safety initiatives, encouraging investment, job creation, and vibrant nightlife aligned with place-based identity.
- The Marine Estate Management Strategy provides principles and guidance for working respectfully with saltwater Country and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage in marine and coastal environments.
- The South Coast Cultural Tourism Roundtable Summary captures outcomes from a regional industry roundtable, emphasising the value of cultural safety, long-term investment, and community control in cultural tourism.
